Top 6 Best Essays on 'M. Jourdain, the Bourgeois Gentleman' by Molière (Grade 8)

I. Author and Work
1. Author (Refer to the introduction of Molière in the Literature textbook, Grade 8, Volume 2)
2. The Play
'M. Jourdain, the Bourgeois Gentleman' is a scene from Molière's 5-act comedy, 'The Bourgeois Gentleman' (1670), and is part of Act II. This text is based on the translation by Tuấn Đô, with the title assigned by the textbook editor.

II. Essay Instructions

Question 1:

* The scene has two parts:

Scene 1: M. Jourdain and the tailor discuss the details of his new outfit. The scene features four characters: M. Jourdain, the tailor, the assistant carrying the ceremonial outfit, and a servant.
Scene 2: M. Jourdain and the assistant continue their conversation. This time, there are four more workers helping M. Jourdain put on his new ceremonial attire.
This second scene is livelier with more physical action, including dancing and music.

Question 2:

In the first scene, M. Jourdain's desire to appear fashionable is revealed through his conversation with the tailor. They discuss details like the stockings, wig, hat decorations, and especially the reversed flowers on his ceremonial outfit. While M. Jourdain notices this oddity, the tailor cunningly convinces him that it is common among the aristocracy. M. Jourdain, eager to appear sophisticated, falls for the deception.

In the second scene, M. Jourdain discovers that the tailor has cut corners and used less fabric. Sensing an opportunity, the tailor shifts the conversation to the excitement of trying on the new outfit, making M. Jourdain forget about the missing fabric. The tailor even wears the outfit made with the stolen fabric when visiting M. Jourdain's house.

=> M. Jourdain is depicted as foolish and naive, attempting to appear aristocratic by dressing up, despite being duped by the tailor and the assistant.

Question 3:

The second scene further emphasizes M. Jourdain's foolishness as he continues his obsession with appearing noble.

This time, the assistant manipulates him by showering him with flattering titles like “Your Excellency” and “My Lord,” while M. Jourdain continues to reward him with money, believing that this praise will lead to more wealth for the assistant.

=> M. Jourdain is shown as a vain, ignorant man who desperately wants to be part of the aristocracy, easily manipulated by the assistant's cunning flattery.

Question 4:

This scene provides comedic value by highlighting M. Jourdain's ignorance and his desperate desire to appear sophisticated, despite being taken advantage of by the tailor and the assistant. The audience laughs at his foolishness, as he believes that aristocrats wear their flowers upside down and continues to spend money to appear noble. The humor intensifies as M. Jourdain is pompously dressed in a ridiculous outfit, unaware of its poor quality, while trying to act like an aristocrat. Through M. Jourdain, Molière satirizes the ridiculousness of those who aspire to false nobility in society.

I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND THE WORK

Molière, born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (January 15, 1622 – February 17, 1673), was born in Paris into a bourgeois family closely associated with the royal court. His father wanted him to pursue a legal career and inherit a position at court, but Molière was drawn to literature and chose the stage instead. At the time, theatre was a lowly profession in society. Molière spent 15 years (1643-1658) traveling across France with his troupe, performing in various places.

These 15 years of hardship and wandering were a crucial period that prepared him for a significant career as a playwright. Molière was not only an actor but also a director and playwright. He became a prominent figure in French classical theatre and the founder of French classical comedy. Through his work, comedy reached a new level, standing on par with other dramatic genres. It was only through Molière that French comedy became a sharp tool of social critique, with deep meanings hidden within its subtle humor.

His comedic characters were vivid and diverse, representing different social classes: the deceitful, bizarre aristocracy, the conniving clergy, and the greedy, selfish bourgeoisie. Molière excelled at portraying the hypocrisy of the nobility and the pretentiousness of the wealthy. Over the course of more than 30 years, Molière wrote around 40 plays, with several of his comedies, such as “Tartuffe”, “The Miser”, “The Bourgeois Gentleman”, and “The Imaginary Invalid”, becoming masterpieces.

The excerpt from “M. Jourdain in his Finery” is taken from Molière’s famous play “The Bourgeois Gentleman”. Through his masterful satire, Molière brings laughter to the audience while mocking the ignorance, naivety, and absurd pretensions of the bourgeoisie trying to imitate the nobility. Thus, the laughter in Molière’s comedy carries a deep social critique.

II. GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND THE WORK

1. Question 1 (Textbook, p. 121)

a. Guidance for understanding

Read the text carefully, and based on its content and instructions (italicized words), divide the text into scenes. Then, based on the number of characters, actions, and sounds in each scene, determine which scene is more lively.

b. Suggested answer

The excerpt “M. Jourdain in his Finery” is divided into two scenes. The first scene involves a dialogue between M. Jourdain and the tailor. It features four characters: M. Jourdain, the main character; the tailor, the apprentice, and a servant. The second scene is a lively exchange between M. Jourdain and the apprentice. This scene is more animated, with the four apprentices hurriedly dressing M. Jourdain in his new finery, complete with music and dance. In the first scene, the characters' actions are minimal, consisting mostly of gestures accompanying their dialogue. The second scene is more dynamic, with a more vibrant atmosphere due to the presence of multiple characters and the dramatic interaction between M. Jourdain and the apprentices.

2. Question 2 (Textbook, p. 121)

a. Guidance for understanding

Focus on the dialogue between M. Jourdain and the tailor in the first scene. Pay attention to the arguments the tailor uses to convince the bourgeoisie. In this scene, M. Jourdain's character is revealed through his conversation with the tailor. M. Jourdain, a wealthy bourgeois, wants to imitate the nobility, so he spends large sums on luxurious clothing. However, he is easily deceived and manipulated by the tailor, who uses flattery to take advantage of him. The comedy arises from M. Jourdain’s ignorance about the absurdity of his attempts to imitate the aristocracy. For instance, when he notices the tight socks or the ill-fitting wig, the tailor convinces him that it’s normal and that the adjustments will be made later. The entire situation is hilarious as M. Jourdain fails to see how ridiculous he looks, and the tailor exploits his ignorance for profit.

Even when M. Jourdain complains about his tight shoes, the tailor dismisses it, suggesting it's all in his imagination. M. Jourdain cannot distinguish between real discomfort and imaginary complaints. When he discovers that the tailor has stolen some fabric, the tailor quickly distracts him with talk of his new outfit. This highlights M. Jourdain’s superficial obsession with appearances and his foolishness, making him a perfect target for manipulation.

The absurdity of M. Jourdain’s desire to be fashionable, coupled with his inability to recognize the incompetence of the tailor, creates a series of humorous situations. His attempts to dress “properly” are laughable as he follows the absurd instructions of the tailor, all set to music and accompanied by theatrical movements.

3. Question 3 (Textbook, p. 121)

a. Guidance for understanding

Read the next scene, paying attention to the flattery from the apprentices and the changing emotions of M. Jourdain.

b. Suggested answer

After M. Jourdain dresses in his finery, the next scene involves the apprentices trying to flatter him to extract more money. This scene consists of 10 lines of dialogue, where the playwright mocks M. Jourdain's vanity and love of flattery. After putting on his new clothes, M. Jourdain is pleased and decides to reward the apprentices, convinced that he is now the epitome of nobility. The apprentices, knowing his vanity, continue to flatter him, calling him “Your Grace” and “My Lord”. These compliments are timed perfectly with M. Jourdain's delusions of grandeur, and he eagerly rewards them with money. Despite realizing he’s being duped, M. Jourdain is so caught up in his desire to be seen as noble that he happily gives away money.

The scene ends with more laughter, as the apprentices continue their mockery, elevating M. Jourdain's status from “Your Grace” to “My Lord” and “Sire”. The absurdity of the situation and M. Jourdain's gullibility serve as a sharp satire of the bourgeoisie's obsession with titles and appearances.

4. Question 4 (Textbook, p. 121)

a. Guidance for understanding

To answer this question, students should synthesize the knowledge from the entire play. They should focus on the humorous elements in both scenes and generalize the comedic factors that drive the plot.

b. Suggested answer

The comedy “The Bourgeois Gentleman” is one of Molière’s finest works. The author builds two scenes full of dramatic tension, with the comedy escalating as the play progresses. The laughter comes from the absurdities in life, the contradictions in the characters’ desires, and their actions. Molière creates a dynamic comedic character by illustrating the conflict between M. Jourdain’s aspirations and the reality of his situation. His desire to become noble clashes with his ignorance and foolishness, leading to a series of ridiculous actions.

From the too-tight socks to the shoes that hurt his feet, and the ultimate absurdity of his fancy clothes being sewn incorrectly, the comedy derives from M. Jourdain’s inability to see the farce he’s become. His transformation into a puppet, manipulated by the tailor and the apprentices, creates laughter through Molière’s sharp satire.

III. REFERENCE MATERIAL

For additional knowledge, students may refer to the following article on Molière and his comedies. Molière's life was one of resistance, as he constantly fought against the reactionary forces of his time, including the church, the nobility, and the conservative bourgeoisie, who sought to keep society ignorant and subjugated. Molière holds a significant place in French literary history as the father of French comedy. He elevated Italian comedic traditions into a profound intellectual form of theatre, rooted in national culture. His works critique the excesses of the nobility and the false pretenses of court life, while mocking the ignorance perpetuated by the church. Molière’s comedies remain deeply relevant for their sharp social commentary, vibrant characters, and profound insights into human nature.

I- General information about the play Mr. Jourdain in formal attire

1. The Author

Molière was a major playwright of 17th century France
He specialized in writing and performing comedies
His plays brought joyful, healthy laughter, while also satirizing and mocking the vices and flaws of society

2. The Play

Mr. Jourdain in formal attire is part of Act 5, Scene II in the play “The Bourgeois Gentleman”

II- Lesson plan for Mr. Jourdain in formal attire

Question 1, page 121, 8th grade literature textbook, volume 2:

The play has 2 scenes:

Scene 1: Mr. Jourdain and the tailor
Scene 2: Mr. Jourdain and the assistant
The play becomes livelier as it progresses:

Scene 1 includes 4 characters: Mr. Jourdain, the tailor, the assistant, and Mr. Jourdain's servant
Scene 2 is more dynamic with 4 additional assistants, who engage in actions like dressing Mr. Jourdain in formal attire

Question 2, page 121, 8th grade literature textbook, volume 2:

Mr. Jourdain's attempt to appear refined:

His reasoning is nonsensical, yet he thinks it makes sense when criticizing others
He lacks fashion knowledge, is awkward and ignorant
Mr. Jourdain is exploited:

He wears a formal outfit that is not black, with reversed patterns
The tailor takes advantage of him by using less fabric

Question 3, page 121, 8th grade literature textbook, volume 2:

In the second scene, Mr. Jourdain’s desire to appear sophisticated is further exposed and exploited:

He is pleased and proud to be flattered as a big shot, a grand person, a respected figure
He craves attention and flattery, which leads him to be taken advantage of and even praise those who deceive him
=> He loves luxury and is willing to empty his pockets to achieve it

Question 4, page 121, 8th grade literature textbook, volume 2:

The play’s humor comes from the following aspects:

Mr. Jourdain’s ignorance and awkwardness
The contrast between his outward appearance and inner ignorance: his vanity and desire to appear refined
His awkwardness and stupidity turn him into a joke, making him the object of ridicule and manipulation

I. A Brief Introduction to Molière
- Molière (1622 - 1673), born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin
- Birthplace: A renowned French playwright
- Life and career highlights:
+ Known as a poet, playwright, and a pioneer of classical French comedy, Molière was a master of European theater
+ In 1655, he wrote his first poetic play, "The Imaginary Invalid"
+ His final play, "The Imaginary Invalid", was written in 1672-1673

II. A Brief Overview of the Play Mr. Jourdain in Formal Attire
1. Context of creation
- Mr. Jourdain in Formal Attire is excerpted from Act 5, Scene II of the play "The Bourgeois Gentleman"
2. Genre: Comedy
3. Thematic Value
- The text depicts the absurd behavior of a bourgeois man who is ignorant yet pretends to be refined, which creates humor for the audience
4. Artistic Value
- The dialogue is lively, realistic, and appropriate, with escalating humor that keeps the play engaging, effectively portraying the character's traits

Question 1 (Page 121, 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2):

- The scene is divided into two parts:

+ Scene 1: Dialogue between Mr. Jourdain and the tailor.

+ Scene 2: Dialogue between Mr. Jourdain and the assistant.

- Number of characters appearing in each scene:

+ Scene 1: Four characters on stage: Mr. Jourdain, the tailor, the servant, and the assistant helping dress Mr. Jourdain in formal attire.

+ Scene 2: Mr. Jourdain, the assistant, and four additional helpers dressing him in formal attire.

- The atmosphere of the play intensifies, becoming more lively and comedic towards the end.

Question 2 (Page 121, 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2):

Mr. Jourdain's pretensions are revealed in his conversation with the tailor:

+ The discussion about socks, a wig, feathered hat decorations, and the reversed floral pattern on his formal suit.

+ When Mr. Jourdain notices a flaw in the suit, the tailor dismisses it, claiming, "This is how all nobles dress."

+ Eager to appear refined, Mr. Jourdain fully agrees with the tailor's justification.

+ When the tailor offers to fix the flower design, Mr. Jourdain refuses, afraid of missing the chance to appear sophisticated.

+ When Mr. Jourdain realizes the tailor has skimped on fabric, the assistant directs his focus back to the suit, and he forgets the issue entirely.

+ The tailor confidently dresses Mr. Jourdain in the altered suit when he visits his home.

→ Mr. Jourdain's blind ambition to join the upper class, combined with his ignorance, leads him to be deceived and turned into a laughingstock.

Question 3 (Page 121, 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2):

In the following scene, Mr. Jourdain's desire to appear refined is further exposed:

+ The assistant calls him "Sir" as Mr. Jourdain, fully dressed in his formal attire, feels increasingly sophisticated.

+ The assistant continually flatters him with titles like "Sir" and "Master", each earning him a tip.

+ The assistant uses endless compliments to extract money, and he succeeds in his goal.

→ Mr. Jourdain's delusion of entering high society overshadows his concern for money. His desire to appear refined knows no bounds.

Question 4 (Page 121, 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2):

The play's humor stems from the imbalance between appearance and reality, between external show and internal ignorance:

+ The author creates a timeless comedic character by highlighting the absurd clash between ignorance and the fantasy of refinement.

+ Numerous comedic details, such as the reversed floral suit, the tips for flattery, and Mr. Jourdain's pompous attitude in his formal attire.

+ His dream of entering the upper class despite his ignorance continually makes Mr. Jourdain appear ridiculous.

→ Molière skillfully portrays the absurdity of a bourgeois man trying to appear refined, generating delightful laughter from the audience.

I. About the Author

- Molière (1622 - 1673), born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin

- Hometown: Famous French playwright

- Life and Career:

+ He is known as a poet, playwright, and the creator of classical theater, and is regarded as a master of European drama

+ In 1655, he wrote his first verse play, "The Imaginary Invalid"

+ In 1672-1673, he wrote his final play, "The Misanthrope"

II. Key Information about the Play

1. Context of Creation

- The scene from "The Bourgeois Gentleman", a five-act play, where Monsieur Jourdain wears a ceremonial outfit, is the final scene of Act II

2. Genre: Comedy

3. Play Summary

Old Monsieur Jourdain is a crude, awkward man, with a foolish and ignorant personality. His wealth comes from trade, and with it, he tries to adopt the manners of nobility, only to be exploited by others. In order to write a love letter to a noblewoman he fancies, he hires many philosophers to teach him Latin, logic, spelling, and pronunciation. He also wants to acquire the most fashionable outfit for the court.

When the tailor and his four assistants arrive to fit him, they flatter Jourdain by calling him "sir", "your excellency", and "the great gentleman", which pleases him immensely. His gullibility leads him to spend large sums on their flattery.

Jourdain’s daughter, Lucile, is a beautiful young woman whom he loves dearly. However, he does not approve of her relationship with Cléonte because he is not of noble birth. To win Lucile’s hand, Cléonte disguises himself as a Turkish prince, fooling Jourdain into allowing the marriage.

4. Structure

The play is divided into two parts:

- Part 1: From the beginning to "for the noble houses": The dialogue between Monsieur Jourdain and the tailor

- Part 2: The rest: Monsieur Jourdain and the assistants.

III. Analyzing the Text

1. Monsieur Jourdain Tries to Be Noble

– Coming from a wealthy bourgeois family, Jourdain wants to become a nobleman

– Due to his ignorance, he is easily taken advantage of by swindlers

→ He harbors delusions of grandeur without the capacity to realize them

→ The play focuses on two key moments: receiving and wearing the ceremonial outfit

2. Monsieur Jourdain Receives His Outfit

– Action: Jourdain instructs the tailor to make him an outfit befitting a nobleman

– He momentarily realizes the tailor is cheating him, but when the tailor argues that all nobles wear such outfits, Jourdain believes him

– He later discovers the tailor has cut corners with the fabric, but when the tailor offers him a new beautiful coat, Jourdain forgets his anger

→ An unexpected and humorous turn: his desire to appear noble leads to him being duped

3. Monsieur Jourdain Wears His Outfit

– The tailors dress him in his new clothes, and he parades about, strutting as if he were a nobleman

– The dialogue between Jourdain and the assistants, who repeatedly flatter him with titles like "sir" and "your excellency", is full of sycophantic praise

– Jourdain, delighted, eagerly pays them without hesitation

→ The character of Monsieur Jourdain is portrayed as gullible, ignorant, and desperate to appear noble, which leads to his exploitation.

4. Conclusion

* Content:

- The play highlights the absurdity of a foolish bourgeois attempting to become a noble, creating humor for the audience

* Artistry:

- The dialogue is lively and realistic, with the use of escalating humor keeping the audience engaged, and the character development of Monsieur Jourdain is both effective and clear.

Question 1 (page 121, Grade 8 Literature Textbook)
- The play is divided into two scenes:
+ Scene 1: The dialogue between Monsieur Jourdain and the tailor.
+ Scene 2: The dialogue between Monsieur Jourdain and the assistant.
- Characters in each scene:
+ Scene 1: (4 characters): Monsieur Jourdain, the tailor, servants, and the assistant bringing the ceremonial outfit.
+ Scene 2: (3 characters): Monsieur Jourdain, the assistant, and four other assistants who help him dress in the ceremonial outfit.
=> The atmosphere of the play becomes increasingly lively as it progresses, reaching a full comedic climax by the end of the scene.

Question 2 (page 121, Grade 8 Literature Textbook)
Jourdain’s desire to appear noble is shown through his conversation with the tailor:
+ The discussions about socks, wigs, hat decorations, and the new ceremonial outfit with upside-down flowers.
+ Jourdain realizes there are errors in the outfit, but the tailor convinces him that all nobles wear such things.
+ Eager to appear noble, Jourdain agrees with the tailor’s logic without question.
+ The tailor suggests fixing the flower design, but Jourdain refuses, afraid of losing his chance to be "noble".
+ Jourdain catches the tailor cheating, but when he is offered an even more beautiful garment, he forgets his previous anger.
+ The tailor is overly confident, wearing the fabric he had cut from Jourdain’s own cloth to the man’s house.

Question 3 (page 121, Grade 8 Literature Textbook)
In the next scene, Jourdain’s desire to be noble continues to develop.
+ The assistant calls him "sir" while Jourdain is delighted with his ceremonial outfit, believing he is now a noble.
+ The assistant continues to flatter him, calling him "your excellency" and "the great one", which earns him money.
+ The assistant’s constant flattery achieves his goal of extracting money from Jourdain. This demonstrates that Jourdain’s foolish dream of joining the elite overpowers his common sense.

Question 4 (page 121, Grade 8 Literature Textbook)
The play humorously critiques the disconnect between appearance and reality, highlighting the contrast between Jourdain’s outer appearance and his inner ignorance. The audience laughs at his naive attempts to emulate nobility, as the tailor and assistants exploit his vanity. The play builds a timeless comedic figure by creating an incongruity between Jourdain’s ignorance and his lofty aspirations. The absurdity of the situation—his upside-down flowers, constant flattery, and the mock nobility of Jourdain—serves as a critique of those who pursue elitism without the knowledge to back it up. Thus, Molière’s play remains a sharp social commentary on pretensions and self-deception.

I. SUMMARY:

Inherited a large fortune from his family, Monsieur Jourdain (40 years old) dreams of becoming a nobleman and seeks to enter the upper social class. He hires instructors to teach him various skills, such as music, fencing, philosophy, and the proper noble attire. Monsieur Jourdain has a daughter of marriageable age, and a young man named Cleonte seeks her hand but is rejected by Monsieur Jourdain for not being a noble. Eventually, Cleonte disguises himself as a Turkish prince and returns to ask for her hand again, and this time Monsieur Jourdain agrees.

II. STRUCTURE:

Divided into two parts:
- Part 1: From the beginning to "for the noble houses": The dialogue between Monsieur Jourdain and the tailor.
- Part 2: The remaining portion: Monsieur Jourdain and the servants.

III. TEXT ANALYSIS:

Question 1: The play is divided into two scenes:

- Scene 1: Monsieur Jourdain and the tailor

+ Number of characters: 4 (Monsieur Jourdain, the tailor, his servant, the assistant bringing the noble attire)

- Scene 2: Monsieur Jourdain and the assistant

+ Number of characters: 6 (Monsieur Jourdain, the assistant, 4 tailors assisting him in dressing for the noble attire)

Question 2: Scene 1:

- Monsieur Jourdain’s desire to appear noble is shown through his obsession with new socks, a wig, a feathered hat, and the reversed flower on his new outfit.

- Monsieur Jourdain is easily deceived when:

+ He notices the tailor cutting corners with fabric, but the assistant directs him toward the noble attire, causing him to forget his concerns.

+ When he spots flaws in his attire, the tailor quickly dismisses them, claiming that nobles all wear their outfits in the same manner.

+ The tailor confidently wears the very same fabric he had cut from Monsieur Jourdain’s cloth when he arrives at his house.

Question 3: Scene 2:

- Monsieur Jourdain’s pretentiousness is further shown when the assistant continuously calls him “sir” and “master,” and he believes himself to be of noble status.

- Monsieur Jourdain is exploited when the assistant uses flattery to secure a generous tip from him.

Question 4: The humor in the play arises from several aspects:

- The author creates a character whose ignorance and absurd desire to seem noble provide a comedic contrast to his attempts to imitate the upper class.

- Clever situations are crafted to highlight this absurdity.

- Monsieur Jourdain’s blind ambition to join the aristocracy without the knowledge to back it up leads him to become a ridiculous figure.

IV. MAIN MESSAGE:

Through the story of Monsieur Jourdain and his noble attire, Molière critiques societal flaws such as vanity, pretension, and sycophancy.